THE IMPLICATIONS OF CONTEMPORARY COMMUNITY CONFLICT: A CASE STUDY OF IKOT OFFIONG AND OKU IBOKU CONFLICT

Abstract

This study analyses the implications of contemporary community conflict using Ikot Offiong and Oku Iboku age long conflict as a case study. Conflict between the two communities started in 1908 due to discrepancies bordering on trespass between two indigenes of the two communities. The conflict later engulfed the entire communities and resolution was sought through litigation in court. There were litigation and counter litigation which finally escalated into hostilities in the year 2000 and the people of Ikot Offiong were evicted. The study found out some of the implications of contemporary community conflict which include difficulty in resolution, eviction or displacement of defeated party, truncation of education of the youth, drug and alcohol abuse, reliance on charm and entrenchment in the community and the general fall in the standard of living of the people due to neglect of economic activities. The study relied on descriptive and analytical styles of writing and both oral and written sources were use in gleaning information for the study. The study proffered that community conflict can be resolved if potential sources of the conflict are detected early through early warning mechanisms.